Win 7 and Win 10 on the SSD and use my HDD as storage

kstatenupe

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Aug 1, 2016
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Hello,

I am purchasing a laptop with a 256 SSD and a 1TB HDD. I would like to install Win7 (have a boxed copy already) on the SSD as well as the already installed Win10.

I want to use the 1TB HDD to store my CAD files and other supporting documents.

My limited thinking is that I can Boot Win7 and then Launch my Cad software which would also be installed on the SSD but the files it would open will be on the HDD.

Can this/Will this work?

TIA - KSN
 

Colif

Win 11 Master
Moderator
Does the laptop have win 7 drivers? Does it have a USB 2 slot?

You would be better off installing win 7 first and then 10 as then the boot loader will work without needing to be fixed. - make sure win 10 has at least been used once before doing that, just so its activated.
Might need to change bios boot method to legacy so that win 10 won't refuse to install on an MBR disc.

and Yes, you can use a hdd to store files for a program on C, though I don't know if there is a limitation in CAD software (somehow doubt it).
 

kstatenupe

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Aug 1, 2016
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4,510


So the laptop that I am buying will come with Win 10 on it so i assume it does not have Win 7 drivers. It will have USB 3.0 slots. So I need to uninstall Win 10 first, then install 7, and then 10? I will be partitioning the drives. does that need to be done first before I uninstall 10?

Thanks

 

Colif

Win 11 Master
Moderator
I would seriously not install win 7 on a device that has no win 7 drivers, its not going to work well. What make/model laptop is it so I can confirm this?

And win 7 has no native access to USB 3. If you formatted drive before installing win 7 you might find it won't even install. Win 7 only supports USB 2, it has no idea what USB 3 is without drivers. There might be a work around for this, depending on if the laptop does support win 7, it may have instructions on how to get win 7 on.

You are likely to have to format drive before installing win 7 though you will have to do this after win 10 removed. You could use http://www.dban.org/ to wipe the drive, then you need to format drive to MBR format and create partitions for both win 7 and 10 to install on.

You will also need to change the boot method in the BIOS as if win 10 detects you have a UEFI boot method it won't install onto the SSD. You have to change it to legacy before it will install on an MBR disc